10 Must-Try Fresh Herbs for Cooking This Spring
Article posted in: Food & Nutrition
Fresh herbs are the ultimate secret to bringing your dishes to life! With their vibrant flavors, aromatic scents, and amazing health benefits, they have the power to transform even the simplest meal into something extraordinary. As spring bursts into bloom, it’s the perfect time to embrace these fragrant, nutrient-packed wonders. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just starting out in the kitchen, fresh herbs are your ticket to adding a touch of magic to your cooking.
Picture this: a sprinkle of basil on your pasta, a handful of cilantro brightening up your tacos, or the zing of fresh mint in your lemonade. With herbs popping up in gardens and produce aisles this season, there’s no better moment to dive in and experiment with these fresh, flavorful treasures.
Get ready to explore the top 10 fresh herbs you need to try this spring! From their unique flavors and creative uses to the incredible health perks they bring, these culinary gems are about to become your new kitchen essentials. Let’s dive in!
Why Use Fresh Herbs?
Fresh herbs bring more than just flavor to your meals. Here’s why you’ll want to include them in your kitchen arsenal:
- Boost Nutrition: Brimming with vitamins, antioxidants and other nutrients, herbs pack a nutritional punch.
- Healthy Alternative: They add flavor with virtually zero calories, sodium or fat.
- Health Benefits: From fighting inflammation to supporting heart health, fresh herbs offer numerous wellness perks supported by research.
Read on for some of our favorite herbs, including ways to incorporate them in your cooking and potential health benefits they may offer you and your family.
Top 10 Fresh Herbs for Cooking (and Their Benefits)
1. Basil
Flavor Profile:
Basil brings a mildly sweet, slightly licorice-like flavor to your dishes. It’s a staple in many cuisines and one of the easiest herbs to grow at home.
How to Use:
- Pesto, marinara sauce, pasta, sandwiches, and soups.
- Add fresh basil at the end of cooking for optimal flavor.
- Jenny Craig Pairing: Add fresh basil to the Margherita Pizza for an extra burst of aromatic, sweet flavor that complements the tangy tomato sauce and cheese.
Health Benefits:
Rich in vitamin K and the antioxidant beta carotene, basil may help fight inflammation, potentially lowering the risk of conditions like heart disease, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
2. Chives
Flavor Profile:
Chives have a mild onion-like taste with a hint of garlic, making them a great way to brighten dishes.
How to Use:
- Mashed cauliflower, potatoes, dips, soups, seafood, and omelets.
- Use them raw or add at the very end of cooking, as heat ruins their flavor.
- Jenny Craig Pairing: Sprinkle chopped chives over the Loaded Baked Potato to enhance its creamy, savory flavor with a mild oniony kick.
Health Benefits:
Boasting vitamins A and K, chives also contain a compound called allicin, which may help lower both blood pressure and cholesterol.
3. Cilantro
Flavor Profile:
Cilantro is bold, citrusy, spicy and warm, often described as a love-it-or-hate-it herb. In fact, to some people, it tastes like soap! (Fun fact: its dried version is coriander.)
How to Use:
- Burritos, chicken or fish dishes, curry, salsa, soups, stews and taco salads.
- Jenny Craig Pairing: Pair fresh cilantro with the Chicken Fajita to add a citrusy, zesty note that elevates the dish’s Mexican-inspired flavors.
Health Benefits:
Research has suggested that compounds in cilantro may offer both antioxidant and anticancer properties. The compounds found in cilantro have also been shown to hold promise in the treatment of migraines.
4. Dill
Flavor Profile:
With its grassy flavor akin to licorice, dill lends a fresh, sharp flavor to a wide variety of dishes.
How to Use:
- Cucumber salads, soups, fish, dips and cottage cheese.
- Use sparingly and only at the end of cooking to preserve its flavor.
- Jenny Craig Pairing: Add a touch of dill to the Fish & Chips for a fresh, sharp flavor that pairs beautifully with seafood.
Health Benefits:
Rich in calcium, potassium and vitamin A, dill may offer a number of health benefits. These include assisting with the management of diabetes and helping to slow the progression of cardiovascular disease. In addition, dill may be helpful for lowering cholesterol and triglycerides, thus improving your heart health.
5. Mint
Flavor Profile:
Mint is a versatile herb with a cool, refreshing taste that works in both savory and sweet dishes.
How to Use:
- Fruit salads – mint and watermelon is a classic combo!
- Vegetables and side dishes like peas, carrots and couscous salad, as well as proteins like roasted lamb and yogurt.
- Infused drinks like tea or cucumber water.
- Jenny Craig Pairing: Garnish the Lemon Cake with a sprig of mint for a refreshing, cool contrast to the zesty sweetness of the dessert.
Health Benefits:
The rosmarinic acid in mint may help with the prevention and treatment of asthma, animal studies have shown. Mint also contains a host of other potentially helpful phytochemicals, including flavonoids and flavones, essential oils and fatty acids. These may be helpful in the prevention and treatment of such allergic conditions as food allergies and eczema, one review suggested.
6. Oregano
Flavor Profile:
Native to the Greek islands, oregano has a strong, aromatic scent and a slightly bitter flavor with notes of hay and mint.
How to Use:
- Pizza, marinara sauce, lasagna, salad dressings, poultry and seafood dishes.
- Jenny Craig Pairing: Sprinkle oregano on the Classic Lasagna with Meat Sauce to enhance its rich, Italian-inspired flavors.
Health Benefits:
Containing several powerful antioxidants, oregano may be helpful in a number of areas. Oregano has been used in herbal medicines to treat aliments such as muscle cramps, indigestion and the common cold.
7. Parsley
Flavor Profile:
There are two main types of parsley: curly and Italian. Curly tends to have a grass like flavor and is brighter green. Italian tends to have a bolder, more aromatic flavor and is a darker green, with flatter leaves. (Be sure not to confuse Italian parsley with cilantro, as they look similar.)
How to Use:
- Soups, salads, pasta, roasted vegetables, egg dishes, poultry, fish and roasted meat.
- Jenny Craig Pairing: Add a sprinkle of fresh parsley to the Chicken Marsala for a bright, herbaceous finish that complements the savory sauce.
Health Benefits:
Parsley boasts a variety of nutrients, including antioxidants, calcium, potassium, and vitamins A, C and K. Vitamin K is particularly beneficial as it supports bone health.
8. Rosemary
Flavor Profile:
This highly aromatic herb infuses food with a lemony-earthy flavor reminiscent of pines. Use sparingly, as rosemary’s intensity can overpower dishes. A little goes a long way!
How to Use:
- Roasted potatoes, chicken, pork, lamb and tomato sauce.
- Jenny Craig Pairing: Pair rosemary with the Seasoned Steak to infuse the dish with a warm, earthy flavor reminiscent of a gourmet meal.
Health Benefits:
Rosemary is rich in calcium, iron and vitamin B6, all of which can benefit your health. It also contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.
9. Sage
Flavor Profile:
Sage has earthy, minty notes with hints of pine and citrus, making it a staple in savory holiday dishes.
How to Use:
- Turkey, stuffing, roasted vegetables, beans, tomato sauce, omelets, polenta, risotto, pasta and soups.
- Jenny Craig Pairing: Add sage to the Cheesy Mashed Potatoes & Fried Chicken for a comforting, earthy flavor that enhances the dish’s richness.
Health Benefits:
Rich in vitamin K and antioxidants, sage has been used in traditional medicine to treat various health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease and obesity. It may also help control symptoms commonly associated with menopause.
10. Thyme
Flavor Profile:
Thyme’s earthy flavor with lemon and mint notes pairs perfectly with hearty and zesty dishes.
How to Use:
- Chicken, pork, salmon, vegetables, pasta and Cajun recipes.
- Jenny Craig Pairing: Sprinkle thyme over the Chicken & Wild Rice Soup to add a subtle, earthy depth to the hearty, warming meal.
Health Benefits:
Studies suggest that thyme may help treat respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis and cough.
FAQs About Fresh Herbs
What Are the Best Herbs for Beginners?
Start with easy-to-grow and versatile options like basil, parsley and thyme. These herbs suit a range of dishes and are simple to care for.
How Should You Store Fresh Herbs?
- Keep the stems in a glass of water with a loose plastic bag over the top in the fridge.
- Alternatively, wrap them in damp paper towels and place them in a sealed container.
Can You Substitute Dried Herbs for Fresh?
If you can’t find some of the fresh herbs mentioned here, no worries! You can still use dried herbs in their place — just keep in mind that you need much less of the dried version as the flavor is more concentrated. A good rule of thumb is to substitute 1 teaspoon of dried herbs for 1 tablespoon of fresh.
Try Fresh Herbs Today!
Adding fresh herbs to your meals isn’t just about great flavor; it’s about enhancing both your health and your culinary creativity. Packed with vitamins, antioxidants and powerful compounds, herbs like basil, cilantro and thyme can elevate any dish and support your well-being. Start experimenting with fresh herbs today and experience the difference they can make in your cooking!
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